David Brenner
@davidbrenner.bsky.social
Assoc Prof in IR at Sussex Global Studies | Student of borderworlds, conflict & karaoke in and around Myanmar | Author of Rebel Politics: https://bit.ly/RebPol
Reposted by David Brenner
🚨🧵The 2024 UCU General Secretary was so corrupt that @vickyblake.bsky.social + I are fighting a Certification Officer case to re-run it, 10 Feb. Grady won by 182 votes from 114,310 members, turnout 15%.
In secret, Grady ordered UCU managers to "Re-elect GS" +said she'd "destroy" her opponents...
In secret, Grady ordered UCU managers to "Re-elect GS" +said she'd "destroy" her opponents...
February 5, 2026 at 9:36 AM
🚨🧵The 2024 UCU General Secretary was so corrupt that @vickyblake.bsky.social + I are fighting a Certification Officer case to re-run it, 10 Feb. Grady won by 182 votes from 114,310 members, turnout 15%.
In secret, Grady ordered UCU managers to "Re-elect GS" +said she'd "destroy" her opponents...
In secret, Grady ordered UCU managers to "Re-elect GS" +said she'd "destroy" her opponents...
An intriguing analysis of the state of the field, raising long-overdue questions about whether, and how, the study of conflict and violence can be salvaged by disentangling it from its legacy as 1990s policy science.
In the new @dissentmag.bsky.social issue, out today, @yguichaoua.bsky.social and I diagnose the crisis of conflict studies in a piece that is part intellectual history, part personal experience.
What was conflict studies for? And what can its travails tell us about how wars have changed?
What was conflict studies for? And what can its travails tell us about how wars have changed?
The Demise of Conflict Studies - Dissent Magazine
An entire industry specializing in mediation, peacekeeping, disarmament, and transitional justice has become largely obsolete.
dissentmagazine.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:30 AM
An intriguing analysis of the state of the field, raising long-overdue questions about whether, and how, the study of conflict and violence can be salvaged by disentangling it from its legacy as 1990s policy science.
Reposted by David Brenner
Learning to write an essay was more than an academic rite of passage. It was about learning to make an argument, support it with evidence, and articulate it clearly and maybe even with style. Many students still want to learn how to do that for themselves, despite AI.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Opinion | Why Even Basic A.I. Use Is So Bad for Students
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Learning to write an essay was more than an academic rite of passage. It was about learning to make an argument, support it with evidence, and articulate it clearly and maybe even with style. Many students still want to learn how to do that for themselves, despite AI.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Reposted by David Brenner
We need a critique of AI in academic publishing. Following my decision not to sign an AI addendum to my contract with Cambridge University Press, I wrote this short essay which is now out in the Dublin Review of Books.
👇
drb.ie/move-over-fo...
👇
drb.ie/move-over-fo...
Move over for AI - DRB
Katja Bruisch writes: I recently completed a scholarly monograph – an environmental, economic and energy history of peat in imperial and Soviet Russia. After years of thinking and writing, I approache...
drb.ie
October 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
We need a critique of AI in academic publishing. Following my decision not to sign an AI addendum to my contract with Cambridge University Press, I wrote this short essay which is now out in the Dublin Review of Books.
👇
drb.ie/move-over-fo...
👇
drb.ie/move-over-fo...
Reposted by David Brenner
This weekend is the LAST WEEKEND for #BISA2026 conference submissions! 🚨
Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions 🎉
Make sure to submit your papers now 👉 https://conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
VisitBrighton Simon Rushton @julietdryden.bsky.social
Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions 🎉
Make sure to submit your papers now 👉 https://conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
VisitBrighton Simon Rushton @julietdryden.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This weekend is the LAST WEEKEND for #BISA2026 conference submissions! 🚨
Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions 🎉
Make sure to submit your papers now 👉 https://conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
VisitBrighton Simon Rushton @julietdryden.bsky.social
Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions 🎉
Make sure to submit your papers now 👉 https://conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
VisitBrighton Simon Rushton @julietdryden.bsky.social
Reposted by David Brenner
For over a decade, warlord Zahkung Ting Ying and his allies exploited the rare earth mining boom in Kachin State, Myanmar.
@emilyfishbein11.bsky.social & Jauman Naw report, for @frontiermyanmar.bsky.social, on how they have continued doing business even after losing their territory. bit.ly/47JC0JB
@emilyfishbein11.bsky.social & Jauman Naw report, for @frontiermyanmar.bsky.social, on how they have continued doing business even after losing their territory. bit.ly/47JC0JB
Back in Business: Zahkung Ting Ying Tries To Rebuild His Empire
Over the past decade, the military-aligned warlord and his associates amassed wealth from Kachin State’s rare earth mining boom until the Kachin Independence Army took their territory last year, but.....
pulitzercenter.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:04 PM
For over a decade, warlord Zahkung Ting Ying and his allies exploited the rare earth mining boom in Kachin State, Myanmar.
@emilyfishbein11.bsky.social & Jauman Naw report, for @frontiermyanmar.bsky.social, on how they have continued doing business even after losing their territory. bit.ly/47JC0JB
@emilyfishbein11.bsky.social & Jauman Naw report, for @frontiermyanmar.bsky.social, on how they have continued doing business even after losing their territory. bit.ly/47JC0JB
Reposted by David Brenner
The ability to #Teach, #Research, & speak on important topics is what #Academics do, but what do we do when academic freedom is threatened? Join ISA & @aaup.org to discuss the global threats to #AcademicFreedom & what resources exist to support #Faculty in the fight to preserve it: buff.ly/95exrLj
October 23, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The ability to #Teach, #Research, & speak on important topics is what #Academics do, but what do we do when academic freedom is threatened? Join ISA & @aaup.org to discuss the global threats to #AcademicFreedom & what resources exist to support #Faculty in the fight to preserve it: buff.ly/95exrLj
Reposted by David Brenner
Is it possible to rethink Peace and Conflict studies? Join us for a discussion on the possibilities and constraints of decolonizing the field, challenges to mainstream assumptions, and how to promote a broader critical analysis of #Peace and #Conflict in these unprecedented times: buff.ly/l2NW9kB
October 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Is it possible to rethink Peace and Conflict studies? Join us for a discussion on the possibilities and constraints of decolonizing the field, challenges to mainstream assumptions, and how to promote a broader critical analysis of #Peace and #Conflict in these unprecedented times: buff.ly/l2NW9kB
Reposted by David Brenner
My former PhD student, Zizhu Wang, published her first journal article. Check it out here: Licensing: Why is there no conceptual history of ‘international’: a semantic and translingual reinterpretation www.tandfonline.com/action/showC...
Licensing: Why is there no conceptual history of ‘international’: a semantic and translingual reinterpretation
Licensing for Why is there no conceptual history of ‘international’: a semantic and translingual reinterpretation
www.tandfonline.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:29 AM
My former PhD student, Zizhu Wang, published her first journal article. Check it out here: Licensing: Why is there no conceptual history of ‘international’: a semantic and translingual reinterpretation www.tandfonline.com/action/showC...
Reposted by David Brenner
It's a miracle nobody was hurt. Sending solidarity to the Muslim community in Sussex and across the UK, as well as the Jewish community who are still grieving from the appalling attack in Manchester. No one should EVER feel unsafe in their place of worship
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Police urged to seek clarity on whether hate crime fire at mosque was terrorism
The Green Party has called on police to seek clarity over the motives of the hate crime fire at Peacehaven’s mosque.
www.independent.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM
It's a miracle nobody was hurt. Sending solidarity to the Muslim community in Sussex and across the UK, as well as the Jewish community who are still grieving from the appalling attack in Manchester. No one should EVER feel unsafe in their place of worship
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
BISA + Brighton = perfect combo! Come and join us next year.
🎉 We are OPEN now for abstract, roundtable and panel submissions for #BISA2026 🎉
'Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions' 🌎
Submit here! 👉 buff.ly/kK9oIlM
@visitbrighton.bsky.social @simonrushton.bsky.social @julietdryden.bsky.social
'Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions' 🌎
Submit here! 👉 buff.ly/kK9oIlM
@visitbrighton.bsky.social @simonrushton.bsky.social @julietdryden.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 3:34 PM
BISA + Brighton = perfect combo! Come and join us next year.
Reposted by David Brenner
Looking forward to this one by @jamesstout.bsky.social
Should be a really interesting read.
Should be a really interesting read.
We've been excited to work with @jamesstout.bsky.social on 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦: 𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘞𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘔𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘮𝘢𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘰𝘫𝘢𝘷𝘢, a book about those that cannot wait any longer for the world to change. www.akpress.org/against-the-...
September 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Looking forward to this one by @jamesstout.bsky.social
Should be a really interesting read.
Should be a really interesting read.
Reposted by David Brenner
Why is our trade union emulating the worst behaviour of our employers towards UCU staff? How many of our letters, motions, attempts to bring motions from lay members pressing for resolution have been ignored now? Solidarity with all @uniteucu.bsky.social #UnionStrong #ReclaimUCU
🚨 Third consecutive vote for industrial action 🚨
✅ strike action: 76%
✅ action short of a strike (ASOS): 80%
✅ turnout: 77%
ASOS begins today with @ucu.org.uk threatening staff: "We'll deduct your wages."
Double standards and vindictive attacks undermine us all.
#ReclaimUCU
✅ strike action: 76%
✅ action short of a strike (ASOS): 80%
✅ turnout: 77%
ASOS begins today with @ucu.org.uk threatening staff: "We'll deduct your wages."
Double standards and vindictive attacks undermine us all.
#ReclaimUCU
September 4, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Why is our trade union emulating the worst behaviour of our employers towards UCU staff? How many of our letters, motions, attempts to bring motions from lay members pressing for resolution have been ignored now? Solidarity with all @uniteucu.bsky.social #UnionStrong #ReclaimUCU
Reposted by David Brenner
Congratulations to Dr Claudio Montesi on successfully defending their PhD.
Many thanks to @davidbrenner.bsky.social and Professor Alice Hills who examined the PhD.
Also many congratulations and sincere thanks to my co-supervisor at Sussex IR dept, Professor Fabio Petito.
Many thanks to @davidbrenner.bsky.social and Professor Alice Hills who examined the PhD.
Also many congratulations and sincere thanks to my co-supervisor at Sussex IR dept, Professor Fabio Petito.
September 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Congratulations to Dr Claudio Montesi on successfully defending their PhD.
Many thanks to @davidbrenner.bsky.social and Professor Alice Hills who examined the PhD.
Also many congratulations and sincere thanks to my co-supervisor at Sussex IR dept, Professor Fabio Petito.
Many thanks to @davidbrenner.bsky.social and Professor Alice Hills who examined the PhD.
Also many congratulations and sincere thanks to my co-supervisor at Sussex IR dept, Professor Fabio Petito.
I’ve never been one for commas but this here pretty much sums up the brave new world of marking.
Old me, grading papers: This sentence is incomplete, this one has a comma splice, this one could be more clear.
New me, grading papers: You wrote your own paper! You have thoughts! You are an excellent student!
#academicsky
New me, grading papers: You wrote your own paper! You have thoughts! You are an excellent student!
#academicsky
September 3, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I’ve never been one for commas but this here pretty much sums up the brave new world of marking.
As England drowns in Union Jacks and St George’s flags, local politicians’ statements of solidarity with ethnic minorities are welcome. But their mantra-like claims that far-right nationalism is supported by only a small fraction are irresponsible, especially with Reform UK 8 points ahead in polls.
September 2, 2025 at 10:07 AM
As England drowns in Union Jacks and St George’s flags, local politicians’ statements of solidarity with ethnic minorities are welcome. But their mantra-like claims that far-right nationalism is supported by only a small fraction are irresponsible, especially with Reform UK 8 points ahead in polls.
Reposted by David Brenner
KontraS have posted this on twitter. Things are bad in Indonesia. Live ammo has been authorised by the chief of police against protesters.
August 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
KontraS have posted this on twitter. Things are bad in Indonesia. Live ammo has been authorised by the chief of police against protesters.
Reposted by David Brenner
Very nice explainer from twitter user normelpeople on what's happening in Indonesia this week and how people are feeling
August 28, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Very nice explainer from twitter user normelpeople on what's happening in Indonesia this week and how people are feeling
Reposted by David Brenner
Classic UK govt move: there is a useful fiction of the separation between arms companies and governments. So the UK gets to look like it did something good while materially enabling the bad stuff to happen and letting the Israeli govt cry wolf about how badly it’s treated.
Starmer's government bans Israeli officials but not Israeli arms companies. Says it all about Starmer.
UK government says Israel’s decision to escalate war on Gaza ‘wrong’ as Israel decries ‘discrimination’.
August 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Classic UK govt move: there is a useful fiction of the separation between arms companies and governments. So the UK gets to look like it did something good while materially enabling the bad stuff to happen and letting the Israeli govt cry wolf about how badly it’s treated.
Time to use your university library again. Academia will survive without citation counts and h-indexes. Could be worse 🤷♂️
Since search is dead, how soon do you think Google Scholar is headed for the Google Graveyard? I'm betting it's soon, and academia is NOT prepared
Google Scholar Is Doomed
Academia built entire careers on a free Google service with zero guarantees. What could go wrong?
hannahshelley.neocities.org
August 27, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Time to use your university library again. Academia will survive without citation counts and h-indexes. Could be worse 🤷♂️
Reposted by David Brenner
This is good (though doesn't go far enough). Thai Government will grant long term refugees in the displacement camps along the Thai-Myanmar border the right to work in Thailand.
It doesn't seem to cover the many Myanmar refugees since coup. Nor will it likely stop deportations back to Myanmar.
It doesn't seem to cover the many Myanmar refugees since coup. Nor will it likely stop deportations back to Myanmar.
UNHCR welcomes Royal Thai Government resolution providing long-term refugees the right to work
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today commended the Royal Thai Government’s adoption of a resolution that will grant long-staying refugees from Myanmar the right to work in Thailand.
www.unhcr.ca
August 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
This is good (though doesn't go far enough). Thai Government will grant long term refugees in the displacement camps along the Thai-Myanmar border the right to work in Thailand.
It doesn't seem to cover the many Myanmar refugees since coup. Nor will it likely stop deportations back to Myanmar.
It doesn't seem to cover the many Myanmar refugees since coup. Nor will it likely stop deportations back to Myanmar.
Reposted by David Brenner
Important new Shan Human Rights Foundation report reveals 19 rare earth mining sites in territory controlled by the National Democratic Alliance Army, aka Mong La army, in Shan State's Mong Yawng township near the Mekong River & China border (short thread).
shanhumanrights.org/satellite-im...
shanhumanrights.org/satellite-im...
Satellite images and videos reveal 19 rare earth mines in NDAA-controlled area of eastern Shan State near Mekong River - Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF)
Satellite images from May 2025 and recent video footage reveal nineteen rare earth mining sites under the control of the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA or “Mong La” army) in Mong Yawng townsh...
shanhumanrights.org
August 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Important new Shan Human Rights Foundation report reveals 19 rare earth mining sites in territory controlled by the National Democratic Alliance Army, aka Mong La army, in Shan State's Mong Yawng township near the Mekong River & China border (short thread).
shanhumanrights.org/satellite-im...
shanhumanrights.org/satellite-im...
Reposted by David Brenner
I don’t want to be too shrill about this but I think the BBC, ITV and Sky have disgraced themselves in their coverage of the anti-refugee protests. A massive failure of judgement. But now we know the next time a progressive protest “isn’t news” that it’s nothing to do with numbers
August 24, 2025 at 10:33 PM
I don’t want to be too shrill about this but I think the BBC, ITV and Sky have disgraced themselves in their coverage of the anti-refugee protests. A massive failure of judgement. But now we know the next time a progressive protest “isn’t news” that it’s nothing to do with numbers
Most universities compete for students with individual career and lifestyle promises. Informal higher education providers in war-torn Kachin State, Myanmar, appeal to a communal desire of national liberation: “lead the nation with truth and knowledge!”
www.youtube.com/watch?si=Q9f...
www.youtube.com/watch?si=Q9f...
Hpaji hte Shălawt (Education for Liberation)
YouTube video by Kachinland College
www.youtube.com
August 25, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Most universities compete for students with individual career and lifestyle promises. Informal higher education providers in war-torn Kachin State, Myanmar, appeal to a communal desire of national liberation: “lead the nation with truth and knowledge!”
www.youtube.com/watch?si=Q9f...
www.youtube.com/watch?si=Q9f...